DVD REVIEW Film makes no secret that mix of sports, martial arts is funny

By MARK RAHNER
SEATTLE TIMES
As movies that combine sports and martial arts go, "Shaolin Soccer" (Miramax, PG) is no "Gymkata."
Maybe that's the key: Fit the martial art to the sport, and not the other way around.
Even so, I always take note of objects on the street that could be used as pommel horses in case I am attacked by ungainly thugs.
Anyhow, there are two other important points about this Hong Kong action-sports-comedy: 1. After many recent hours of watching Olympics events such as synchronized diving, competitive walking and volleyball treated with utter seriousness on TV, this movie's lots of fun.
2. Adding outrageous computer-enhanced stunts is a splendid way to add interest to a dull children's game that drives people in other countries to riot.
The story's nothing new: Down-and-out ex soccer star assembles a rag-tag team to fight the odds and compete in a big championship against an evil team (in this case, unsubtly named "Team Evil").
But each teammate brings his own wacky martial-arts style to the mix, and the over-the-top action, insane stylistic flourishes and (intentional) humor would even please the French judges.
The DVD has the original Chinese version and the dubbed U.S. version.